Heady Topper

January 1, 2014

Reviewers:John Holl - Stephen Beaumont

The Alchemist Brewery

Waterbury, VT

The Alchemist is a small, family-run brewery focused on brewing Heady Topper, an American double IPA. The brewery produces 180 barrels of Heady Topper each week, and regularly sells all of its inventory before the weekend.

ABV: 8

ABW: 6.37

COLOR: 6

BITTERNESS: 75

ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 1076

AVAILABLE: VT

One of the most sought-after beers in the United States today. Customers are traveling to Vermont to buy this beer directly off the canning line. After a few sips, it’s clear to see why. Remove the hype and you’re still left with a world-class India pale ale. Even with a basket worth of fruit aromas (lemon, grapefruit, peach, pineapple, apple) that come from both the hops and the house yeast strain, the malt is not lost. Grassy and biscuity flavors coexist well, giving balance to this beer where everything seems to fit perfectly on the head of a pin.- John Holl

I am instructed to “DRINK FROM THE CAN!” but I’ve no idea why, especially when the nose of this light golden ale offers a perfume of florals, hints of lime and starfruit and something grapey in the backdrop. (Try getting that from the can!) On the tongue, it’s a gentle bruiser, with citrusy, spicy, lightly tannic hops held resolutely in check, but not to the point of impotence, and balanced with a robust caramel and candied orange malt, all finishing just dry and pleasingly bitter. Worthy of the hype, I’m pleased to say.- Stephen Beaumont

John HollJohn is the editor of All About Beer Magazine, the host of The Beer Briefing on iHeart Radio, and the author of three books, including The American Craft Beer Cookbook. Find him on Twitter @John_Holl.

Stephen BeaumontCo-author of both The World Atlas of Beer and The Pocket Beer Guide (with Tim Webb), Stephen travels the world sampling beer, hosting dinners and tastings, and eating too much airport food.